Sweat beaded his forehead. A black t-shirt with a white Nike Swish and a pair of faded jeans were his attire. He stood at the intersection of the interstate and the main state highway that bisected the town. Beside him on the ground was a duffle bag. Held between his two hands was a cardboard sign on which had been printed: “Need Work.”
The parson pulled his car off onto the shoulder and motioned him over.
“What kind of work are you looking for?”
“Any kind, sir. I’m a real good handyman. I can do electrical work also. I used to work for a pretty big electrical contractor.”
“Well, I don’t have any electrical work, but I know where I you can make a little bit with some landscaping.”
“That will be fine,” he said.
The parson reached down beside his seat and pulled the lever that opened his trunk. Toss your bag in the trunk and we’ll see what we can find.
“Ah, sir,” said the man, “I don’t want to seem ungrateful, but would you mind if I put it in the back seat.”
The parson responded that would be okay and commanded Charlie Brown to move over. As he put his bag in the parson noticed his apprehension at the parson’s faithful canine companion.
“He’s friendly,” said the parson.
The man mustered up some confidence in the parson’s words and closed the door. He opened the front passenger door and immediately said, “I’m sorry about that, sir. But a fellow asked me to put my bag in the trunk one time and then he drove off with it.”
“No problem,” said the parson. “Tell me, when’s the last time you ate?”
“I had a little lunch yesterday.”
“I tell you what,” the parson suggested, “why don’t we get you something to eat. Can’t imagine you’d do your best work on an empty stomach.”
He nodded his appreciation. The parson headed to a BBQ place just up the road where they had picnic tables scattered about a large screened porch. There the two ate two BBQ sandwiched, a bowl of brunswick stew, some cold slaw and split a pitcher of sweet tea. During lunch the parson urged the man to share his story. It wasn’t much different that dozens of others the parson had heard over the years. Some folks just seem to fit the road better than a set place.
After eating, the parson drove the man to a construction site. He left the man in the car with Charlie Brown, to whom the man had warmed, and talked with the foreman of the project.
Returning, the parson said, “They have some work here tomorrow you can help with. Do you know anything about pouring driveways?”
“I’ve done that a bit,” said the man.
“Good,” the parson said. “Now, let me give you some work so you can get something to eat tonight.”
The parson drove toward his church. On the way he slowed down in front of a motel and pointed it out to the man. A half mile later he pulled into the church parking lot. The parson showed the man where tools were stored and pointed out he could use the shrubbery trimmed and the flower bed weeded. He instructed him on where he could put the trimmings and such.
“Here’s some money for your work today,” the parson said as he pulled the bills from his wallet. “Up on the front porch is a water cooler that’s there for bicycle riders to refresh themselves. You can help yourself to it. Here’s my card. When you’re through take this to that motel I showed you. They’ll put you up for the night and tomorrow morning the foreman will stop by around 7:00 if you want to work for him a bit. If you do the motel will give you a special rate.”
The man thanked the parson over and over. The parson bid him farewell and good luck. As he pulled away the parson saw the man in his rearview mirror walking with determination toward the flower beds.
At the afternoon meeting the parson attended he related the story of the vagabond to another pastor.
“You know that fellow’s going to work a while at your church and then head to the nearest liquor store, don’t you, Parson?” asked the pastor. Before the parson could say anything he continued, “He’s not going to be there to work on that construction site in the morning. Parson.”
The parson replied, “Look, I left him at the church with a few dollars and an opportunity to stabilize himself for a while. I did my part. The rest is between him and the Lord.”
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